The countdown to Election Day is on, and Americans across the country, but particularly in or near swing states, are seeing and hearing a seemingly endless barrage of election-related advertising. Some of those ads come from the campaigns, but there are other, hidden forces at work seeking to influence voters’ choices in November.

Emily Lau, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s State Democracy Research Initiative, explains the American political phenomenon known as “dark money” – funds spent on electioneering that come from unknown, and unknowable, sources.

She describes how this type of spending is legal and what can, and can’t, be known about where it comes from and where it goes before ending up in front of our eyeballs on TV and online. She also explains why, despite efforts to bring more transparency to this powerful force in American politics, not much is likely to change anytime soon.

Also in this week’s politics news:

Jeff Inglis

Politics + Society Editor
Where exactly did this money come from? Manuel Augusto Moreno/Moment via Getty Images

What is ‘dark money’ political spending, and how does it affect US politics?

Emily Lau, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Donors often try to conceal their involvement in politics, and campaigns try to hide what they spend their money on.
A picture of the secretary-general of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah is seen among the rubble following an Israeli air strike. Str-/picture alliance via Getty Images

Does Hezbollah represent Lebanon? And what impact will the death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah have?

Mireille Rebeiz, Dickinson College

Israeli strikes have wiped out much of the leadership of a group that has huge influence – if not popularity – within Lebanon.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams leaves after appearing at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Court House in New York on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

NYC’s ‘Eric Adams Show’ heads for a final curtain, with echoes of another New Yorker more focused on style than policy

Lincoln Mitchell, Columbia University

Eric Adams, the New York mayor facing an indictment that could end his career and send him to jail, long boasted that his swagger was good for the city. But swagger doesn’t make a good mayor.

Cities are clearing encampments, but this won’t solve homelessness − here’s a better way forward

Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, Michigan State University

The US Supreme Court’s high-profile Grants Pass ruling allows cities to clear homeless encampments, even if they can’t offer shelter. A scholar explains why a Housing First approach is more effective.

The splendid life of Jimmy Carter − 5 essential reads

Howard Manly, The Conversation

Beloved in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carter became the 39th US president and used his office to make human rights a priority throughout the world.

What to expect from federal judges appointed by Trump or Harris − based on what we’ve seen from Trump and Biden picks for the Supreme Court and lower courts

Paul M. Collins Jr., UMass Amherst

A leading expert in the selection of federal judges analyzes the Trump and Harris records regarding judicial nominations. There’s a big difference in their approaches.

While Republicans are downplaying abortion ahead of November, Democrats are leaning in on the issue

Linda C. McClain, Boston University; Nicole Huberfeld, Boston University

While the Republican Party platform has typically included anti-abortion language, this year’s platform is curiously silent on the issue.

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